15 June, 2008 - Published 17:05 GMT

Policemen killed in Batticaloa

Two police constables were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Batticaloa on Sunday evening.

The policemen were travelling in a three-wheeler taxi towards Kalladi as they were shot at in Batticaloa-Kalmunai road, police said.

The attack has occurred despite the Sri Lanka Army establishing six new posts alongside the Batticaloa-Kalmunai road, journalists said.

They said security has been tightened in Batticaloa during the past week.

Seven policemen were killed in Batticaloa, in five incidents, after the conclusion of Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) elections.

The opposition leader, Ranil Wickramasinghe, accused Chief Minister’s paramilitary group TMVP of killing two policemen.

EPC Chief Minister, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan known as Pillayan admitted his group is behind some of the abductions.